Orfila budget speech highlights level of demand for housing

The Minister for Housing says the Government is receiving more applications for housing than it is giving out - describing it as "like being in a boat with a hole at the bottom".

In her budget speech, Pat Orfila said since taking office two and a half years ago, over a thousand new applications had come in, while she had given out 483 properties.

However, she said her department is continuing to locate houses and introduce schemes to maximise the use of existing stock - announcing 20 new rental flats above Knight's Court, and a further 20 new 'rent and repair' flats to become available soon.

She called on people to resolve any outstanding arrears, and to give up any flats they're not using - adding that 13 legal cases are currently under way against individuals not living in the properties allocated to them.

And, Ms Orfila said the new housing allocation scheme worked hand in hand with the treaty.

On her University of Gibraltar portfolio, Ms Orfila said there was a completion rate of 96 percent, adding 90 percent of graduates were in employment or further studies within months of graduation.

She added that in the past year, over 30 local businesses had supported student placements.